When we think of fat, we think of cheeseburgers or Popeyes amazing fried chicken, but there is so much more to this three letter word. In a society set on being lean, we often mistake fat as being the bad guy in the way of our skinny hopes and dreams. What everyone should know is that there are three types of fats and what each of them contributes to your body.

First up: saturated fat

Saturated fat is the fat that comes from animal products. Whether it's that grizzle on the edge of your steak or that cheese on your sandwich, saturated fat isn't that great for you. While saturated fat isn't the best for your arteries, eating it, or anything, in moderation, is OK.

Second: unsaturated fat

Unsaturated fats are anything that comes from plants or nuts. Vegetable oil, olive oil, peanut oil, and coconut oil are all good examples. These fats are liquid at room temperature and are better for your health. They don't clog up your arteries and are actually required for a healthy diet.

Lastly: trans fats

Trans fat is the stuff that makes food taste better and gives it a longer shelf life. And that is exactly why it is bad for you. Trans fats are man-made by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil to make it solidify. This stuff latches onto your organs and the rest of your body and is hard to work off. Minimize the amounts of trans fats you consume. The best thing to do is to eat as natural fat instead of anything industrially manufactured.

In conclusion, some fats are great and some are most definitely not. Grab an avocado or a coconut instead of a heap of fries to help balance out the types of fats you're eating.